Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-06
SIMPLICITY IN FUNERAIx.
The Vulgar Display Of Studied Ex.
travaGance . sign Of Ignorance.

sravagance . sign Of Ignorance.
From the Philsdelphia Times
Notwithstanding the earnest efforts made by
many ministers and leading public journals to
restrain the excessive cost OF funerals the expen
sve display In the burial OF the dead is increasing
rather than diminishing. II this extravagant
and utterly uncompensating expenditure In
funerals was confined to people OF abundant
means, who can AFFORD any outlay on funeral oc-
casions, 1t would be matter Of little or no con-
cefn to the public; but 50 far as there has been
any growth OF simplicity in funerals it has been
chiefly among the more Intelligent and opulent
people, while those who can least AFFORD extrava-
CANT funerals are compelled by what they regard
as An imperious custom to exhibit their apprecia-
ton Of their dead by the wanton outlay OF money
great funeral parade on the burial Of the pri-
vate citizen Is not only unreasonable, but 1t fairly
is Of hsp Worlds many loy
rows and 1t Is the last thing that should be para
the burial OF the dead should be as far removed as
possible from the outside world. The dead should
be sacred to the gaze and loving ONCE of those
lutte exclusion OF the curious iders whose presence
so sadly Jars the sancttty Of grief SO ostenta-
tious has become the display Of the merest regu-
notices in the public journals have added to them
the wise admonition, "Please omit flowers" and
many others have the still better admonition, "In-
terment private" The admonitions, forced by
love OF lavish display, teach the lesson that all
should learn, and the lesson that would save thou
SANDS OF poor families from starvation severest
sacrifice for months after funeral merely to
crafty the vulgar taste for vain pomp and idle
Ceremony in the burial OF the dead.
This tendency to parade and display on funeral
occasions Is oppressive upon the largest portion Of
citizens In every community, for the majority OF
the people In every city or neighborhood are in
moderate or straitened circumstances They feel
compelled to initiate those of fortune in ostenta-
tious respect for the dead, and, between costly
nd 1only tpfex xyl,n1n
families in the barbarOus habiliments OF woe
they often involve themselves In debts which they
denial months Thereafter to defray the cost OF
what is simply mockery OF honest grief
It is not only y,,, needless oppression Of
burlesque of the sincere sorrow that is
felt for the dead. The assumption that love for
the dead Is exhibited In profusion OF costly
OF costly carriages, for idle lookers-on, is Simply
farcca 1t strips the love for the dead OF hottest
pomp OF a vulgar parade, while it impoverishes
many to the verge OF want. And why is it done?
Simply because many Of those who can afford 1t
make parade OF funerals, as II parade and eX-
travagance were tributes OF respect for the dead;
and the poor often more sincere in their grief
taught that the measure respect for their loved
and extravaganza exhibited in their burial.
The world is growing in intelligence and as it
OF funerals will surely follow. just as intelligence
increases the love OF hollow pomp and ceremony
is QlmlnlSne0, ana the SevereSt simplicity in the
burial OF the dead will be certain OutgrOwth of
higher standard of culture among the people.
The vulgar display OF studied extravaganza is a
relic OF ignorance, as the OstentatiOus parade Of
woe In unhealthy and unsightly Grape is relic of
barbarism. adopted and sortened by the caprice Of
fashion; and both insult the sincere grief OF the
honest heart. The burial OF the dead is solely the
affair OF the sOrrOw-Smttten household, and be-
reavement can have no taste or tolerance
for the pageant that invites the idle null
t1tude and that eXacts oppressive tribute
from the poor. 1t is simply want OF broad intel
ngence that makes the Stewards and the Wander
bits erect great burglar proof vaults to protect
the remains OF their dead from the grasp OF the
thief who would steal them for q ransom. Had
they erected q crematOry and inc1nerated the
bodies, as did the most enlightened OF the earlier
civilizations, they could preserve all that can be
preserved OF their departed friends in the utful
urn and make 1t q household treasure; but they
teach extravaganza and Ostentatious display, and,
In the case or Stewart, 1t Is not certain that
his dust rests under the costly monument that is
inscribed with his name.
There Is every reason for simplicity In funerals.
simplicity Is the only thing that harmoniZeS with
the grief OF the home that is Swallowed by the
angel OF sorrow, and the OstentatiOus display OF
bereavement under the f1tful regulations Of fash
lon Onends the affectionate memory OF the dead.
Let pulpit and press and Intelligent teachers Of
every class unite to bring into dSfavOr the oSten-
tatfOuS display OF costly funerals and costly fan
taStic mourning apparel and the poor will not
alone be protected from needless and oppressive
expenditure, but all will be protected from the
vulgar pOmp and ceremony which ever mock those
who sincerely mourn the loss of their household
gods.